The Cautious Maiden

s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Today’s official topic is TTT Rewind, to pick an older topic or one missed. I’m doing my own spin on a bookish list of romantic moments and picking three fun locations these scenes take place: in the grocery store, on a boat, and on a train. A little more about my list…

My family and friends know I get just as excited about going grocery shopping as any other kind of shopping (especially if it’s a new-to-me store!). It’s no surprise I’ve noted a few grocery store scenes as remarkable while reading. I also love trains, and think they’re romantic in and of themselves. Trains are another unique spot on my list. I know I have read many stories with coastal settings or scenes on boats, but in thinking about a third place to add to my list, the first one I thought of was Courtney Walsh’s Nantucket series. So, boats round out place number 3.

These scenes *MIGHT* spoil a few moments of some of these stories, so I want to give you a head’s up if any of these are still on your TBR.

10 Bookish Memorable + Romantic Moments in Unique Locations

In the grocery store…

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams | review | Chapter 26, Cooper walking the aisles looking for Lucy

This is an ADORABLE exchange between Cooper and Lucy shopping with her son, Levi. There’s opportunity for little boy shoulder rides, a little parenting 101, flirty banter, and even a kiss in an unexpected outside-a-bathroom setting. It’s pure fun.

Stay With Me by Becky Wade | review | Chapter 16, while grocery shopping…

This moment between Sam and Genevieve is the culmination of a LOT of tension and seriousness between them ***spoiler: he initiates a kiss!***. And it happens in a grocery store just in front of the coffee beans! A sweet little old man makes an appearance here, too, and it’s delightful and hilarious.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay | review | July 6 entry (epistolary format)

Sam and Alex share a tiny moment of honesty and remembering in this scene. It’s less romantic and more heartfelt as his encouraging comment sparks a focus on good memory of Sam’s fraught childhood. Also, it involves OREOS, and it has always stuck in my brain as a pivotal growth scene for Sam.

On a Train…

The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall | review | Chapter 7, a train trip from Maine to Boston in the private Everstone car

This chapter is a chance for Vance and Violet to share vulnerability and work out tentative family reactions to their marriage of convenience + talk about Vance’s past and Violet’s hopes. It’s a tension-filled private moment for them, and it fits nicely in the story to see their tenderness for each other start to grow.

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews | review | Chapter 15, Justin and Helena on a train to London

They have an honest conversation about their worries for something they’re about to face in London, and the romantic moment happens when Justin reassures her of his commitment and support as her husband. It’s a sweet moment because, as fitting with his personality, simply voicing his emotions in that manner is unexpected.

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden | review | Chapter 17 overlooking a moonlit field from a caboose.

In this scene, a cross country train trip turns very personal as Dimitri holds Natalia and confesses his deepest personal reservations about a relationship. Theirs is a wholly unique opposites/friends-to-lovers dynamic that’s groundbreaking in its depiction. I ❤ them so much!

On a Boat…

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson | review | Chapter 16, on a night watch on a lobster boat in the harbor

Meg and Oliver have an enemies to lovers situation happening, and in this chapter and scene, Oliver shares a great deal of his past with her, revealing the reasons his actions caused their “enemy” dynamic. It’s a touching scene, and one that ends with a sweet embrace while Meg realizes just what he endured as a young man.

Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes | review | Chapter 34

Several great friendship-building moments occur between Annie and Jeremiah in boats, but a touching moment happens when he takes her to a secluded sea cove in a canoe to see some special microorganisms that tie in with the theme of Light and Darkness and embracing the waves. It’s poignant and sweet because it reinforces how he *sees* her.

Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh | review | Chapter 23 training in a sailboat for the regatta

While Lou and Cody share a few significant moments on boats, including a rescue and a regatta, the most significant scene, I think, is when Lou experiences a panic attack and Cody talks her through it. Their guards are down, and it’s a sweet moment for her to realize the electricity still between them (second chance romance trope!).

A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews | review | Chapter 8, on a steam ship bound for Malta

While Tom and Jenny could’ve fit into the TRAIN moments category, this scene early on in their journey to India captures an unguarded moment of attraction between them as Tom tends to Jenny while she’s seasick. It’s a classic sickbed scene that shows his tenderness for her while they trade a little banter and good conversation.

Today’s book review features the latest and my personal favorite in Dawn Crandall’s “The Everstone Chronicles” series: The Cautious Maiden. It features a dramatic — and sometimes suspenseful — historical romance and story of redemption between a couple secondary characters we glimpse in the previous books. (But it can totally be a stand-alone story!) Also, Dawn is hosting a blog tour this month celebrating her recent release with some awesome GIVEAWAYS! Read on for more about the book, my review, and the giveaway info with a Rafflecopter link.

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents’ New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet’s own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind.

First things first: the romance! “Marriage-of-convenience” goes through a new set of complications with the influence of outside characters. The chemistry between Violet and Vance practically screams from the page. It’s electric while remaining sweet and era-appropriate. Violet’s innocence is endearing, yet she also learns, no matter the best intentions, the importance of accountability and relying on God for strength to resist temptation. While never excusing Vance’s past behavior, this story highlights our sinful nature and our need for forgiveness.

Having read the first 3 books in the series and knowing the depths to which Vance had fallen, he had to prove himself to me a little bit. And, to Violet. His character showed redemption above and beyond what I expected. (Something tricky to show with a singular POV not from his perspective) For all Vance’s charms, his diligence and determination to show restraint with Violet are what really makes him an attractive hero. And, his obvious pursuit of a personal relationship with God and a fresh start.

The subtle suspenseful plot line added another layer of depth to the story. It offered a few surprises and something else to anticipate. And, it made the climax of the book quite exciting!

The story, like the previous books, is told from the heroine’s perspective. Violet was instantly relatable and interesting from page 1. She is so forgiving, yet she still questions her self-worth because of her belief that her social status/family scandal hangs over her. As she matures in the story, she recognizes that her trust should be in God, her ultimate Protector.

The thing I appreciate most about this series is its common theme through all 4 books: finding true identity and worth in God’s arms. With honest characters facing real struggles, Dawn Crandall has portrayed stories of romance, redemption, and purpose all pointing to the greatest Love, the love of God for his children.

Thank you to Whitaker House publishers for providing a complimentary review copy. My honest opinion is expressed in this review.

Visit my reviews of the previous books in the series:

The Hesitant Heiress (with interview) | The Bound Heart | The Captive Imposter

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of four books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter and The Cautious Maiden which released October 4th, 2016.
Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.

Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

Dawn’s Website | Facebook | Twitter